Arranging Your Church Processional

Quite often, many brides consult us to assist them with establishing their ceremony order, meaning, who walks with who, should bridesmaids & groomsmen walk as pairs, the proper way to seat guests upon arrival, etc. To ease the confusion, we've established a list of tips to ensure that you and your betrothed get "hitched" without a "hitch" (we know that was corny!):

Church Ceremonies:

• Prior to the bridal party processional, mothers of the bride & groom are escorted down the aisle with an usher:
• The mother of the groom is first, followed by the mother of the bride
• The father of the groom may also walk directly behind the mother of the groom and her escort

• Bridesmaids should then proceed down the aisle UNESCORTED. The beginning of the bridal party processional is usually signaled by a change in the musical selection.
• The Maid of Honor is the last person to proceed down the aisle before the flower girl(s).
• The flower girl(s) is the last person to proceed down the aisle before the bride.
• The bride is escorted down the aisle by her father, on his left hand side; the bride's entrance is usually signaled by a change in the musical selection.

Groomsmen/Usher Etiquette:

• The groomsman should ask the guest their relation to the couple to determine which side of the church the guest should be seated.
• The groomsman should then offer his left arm to the female guest and she should walk on his left side; the guest's male companion (if attending) should follow immediately behind the groomsman/usher as he escorts her to her seat.

The Recessional Order:

• Bride & Groom
• Maid of Honor & Best Man
• One bridesmaid with one groomsman
• Parents of the Bride
• Parents of the Groom

In many cases, there are variables specific to each wedding that can affect the ceremony order. Some couples have more bridesmaids than groomsmen, two Best Men of Maids of Honor or familial circumstances that would prevent them from following the aforementioned ceremony order, so sometimes you just have to do what feels right.